Understanding Emotions (3-6 years old)

Children feel all types of emotions beginning at a very young age. They experience happiness, sadness, fear, anger and many other feelings. Even though children experience these emotions, they don’t always understand them, and may not know what to do with them when they occur.

Understanding gives children the ability to better regulate the expression of those emotions, while guidance from parents and teachers will help them reflect on their feelings. Using well-presented books and stories about emotions is one of the best ways to help children understand and manage their emotions. They help affirm children’s feelings, provide information so that children label their emotions, and encourage children to talk safely about scenarios that might arouse to those emotions.

Lose the Blanket, Linus!Author: Darice BailerPublisher: New York, N.Y. : Little Simon, c2003Call No.: JP BAISummary: This book is based on the comic strips ‘Peanuts’ by Charles M. Schulz. Linus is attached to his blanket and his sister Lucy wants him to lose it. Lucy and some others try giving it away, hiding it, loaning it, and more; but despite their efforts, Linus still finds his way to the blanket. A story that shows that it is all right to be attached to a childhood item as long as you can do without it sometimes.

Martha Doesn't Say SorryAuthor: Samantha BergerPublisher: New York: Little, Brown and Co., c2009Call No.: JP BERSummary: Martha is a talented girl who shows her affection through hugs and sharing snacks. She would be an all-around sweet child if not for her major dislike of saying ‘sorry’. She realizes that she needs to make things better after making a mistake but refuses to apologize. This results in her family refusing to give in to her. Slowly, Martha realizes that it is important to apologize for her mistakes. A book about adopting a good habit.

Harry & HopperAuthor: Margaret WildPublisher: London: Scholastic, 2009Call No.: JP WILSummary: Harry loves his pet dog, Hopper, very much. After losing Hopper in an accident, Harry becomes withdrawn and longs for Hopper to return every night. With the quiet and steady support of his father, Harry learns the importance of allowing time, honesty and the chance of saying goodbye to help him be at peace with Hopper's passing. A touching account that talks about facing the death of a loved one and focusing on the feelings of love instead of sadness.

I Love My New Toy!Author: Mo WillemsPublisher: New York: Hyperion Books for Children, c2009Call No.: JP WILSummary: A whole range of emotions is explored in this expressively drawn story of Elephant and Piggie. The animals are not happy with Piggie's new toy. Elephant breaks it and after feeling angry and upset with each other, Elephant and Piggie make up. A useful book that helps to introduce different feelings to children, in a comic book style with word bubbles.

Author: Melanie WattPublisher: Toronto, Ont.: Tonawanda, N.Y.: Kids Can Press c2006Call No.: JP WATSummary: Scaredy Squirrel is frightened of everything. He would rather be in a safe and predictable environment than go out into to a world that is unknown or not within his control. He has the same daily routine and leads a boring life. That is until something unexpected happens one day, which causes him to accidentally jump off his tree, and he discovers that he is actually a flying squirrel! This is a humorous story that allows us to laugh at ourselves and realize that new experiences can bring great discoveries.

Author: Brigitte WeningerPublisher: New York, N.Y. : Minedition, c2006Call No.: JP WENSummary: Whenever Nori is sad, he sucks his pacifier, Binky. One day he misplaces Binky. Different animals chance upon Binky one by one. Elephant assumes it is a ring, Sheep a hair clip and Hen a swing. When the animals agree to help Nori search for his pacifier, they are surprised to discover it is the item they had found earlier. Time away from Binky makes Nori realize that he can live without it.

Scaredy Cat and BooAuthor: Michael BroadPublisher: London: Hodder Children's, c2007Call No.: JP BROSummary: This is a sweet and charming tale of when Scaredy Cat meets the brave mouse Boo, and realizes that the things he is so afraid of are actually wonderful! Having lived inside all his life, Scaredy Cat is sure there is a monster outside. Almost everything makes him jump in fright. Boo, an outdoor mouse, manages to persuade him to go outside and have fun climbing trees and chasing butterflies. Scaredy Cat discovers that he can be a brave cat when he puts his mind to it.

Knight TimeAuthor: Jane ClarkePublisher: London: Red Fox, 2008Call No.: JP CLASummary: This lift-the-flap book tells about Little Knight's and Little Dragon's nightmares. Little Knight dreams that dragons will gobble him while Little Dragon fears Knights will eat him. Too afraid, they run into the forest to look for their daddies but bump into each other's daddy instead. Daddy Dragon and Daddy Knight explain that they do not eat one another and the little ones become friends from then on.

Trumpet: the Little Elephant with a Big TemperAuthor: Jane ClarkePublisher: London: Simon & Schuster, 2006Call No.: JP CLASummary: Whenever Trumpet gets into situations that causes him to lose his temper, he would trumpet ‘Haroomph!’ while flapping his ears and stomping his feet. His mother tells him to calm down by counting to ten slowly, and this works for Trumpet! A cute twist happens in the end when Mother loses her temper and Trumpet is the one who reminds her to calm down and count to ten. Both parent and child lend support to each other through positive reminders on ways to control their tempers.

Wendell the WorrierAuthor: Jill L. DonahuePublisher: Minneapolis: Picture Window Books, 2006Call No.: JP DONSummary: Wendell is such a worrier that he has trouble sleeping. Noticing Wendell's agitation, his brother suggests that he lets go of worrying and go out and have fun instead. It has never occurred to Wendell that he could do that. He feels free and happy after putting his worries to rest. Told in rhyming sentences, this book helps children to realize that they can control their excessive worries and choose to have a good time instead.

OliviaAuthor: Ian FalconerPublisher: London: Simon & Schuster Children's, 2009Call No.: JP FAL-[BA]Summary: Olivia is active and talented. "She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out." Being a huge bundle of energy and mischief, it is no surprise that she can sometimes tire her mum out. She does not always follow instructions, completes tasks impulsively and wants mum to read five bedtime stories instead if one. At the end of the day, mum tells Olivia that despite wearing her out, she still loves Olivia. Definitely a book most parents and child can relate to.

Author: Jeremy TankardPublisher: New York: Scholastic Press, c2007Call No.: JP TANSummary: Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. He is too grumpy to do anything, even fly and so he chooses to walk. He passes by some animals and slowly they too join him in walking. When bird stops, they stop. When bird stands on one leg they follow suit. Distracted and forgetting about his grumpy mood, bird smiles and says he is having fun. He invites them over for a snack and spends the rest of the day not being grumpy.

Marvin Gets Mad!Author: Joseph TheobaldPublisher: London: Bloomsbury, 2008Call No.: JP THESummary: Molly eats an apple that Marvin is eyeing, causing him to get mad. He grows teeth, horns, and a tail and keeps shouting and stamping until the ground splits open and he falls in. He is stuck there in the dark and regrets what he did. He calls for Molly and that is when Molly comes to help him out. This book helps children realize how crazy one can get when giving in to angry impulses.

The Worry MonsterAuthor: Caroline UffPublisher: London: Orchard, 2006Call No.: JP UFFSummary: Sally cannot get rid of a nagging worry and it comes in the shape of a green monster. After eating chocolate cake and putting the blame on her dog, the green monster grows bigger. Mum punishes Eric, and this causes Sally to see the worry monster everywhere she goes. It is not until she tells Mum the truth that the monster grows smaller. This book encourages children to speak up the truth and talk about their worries instead of keeping it inside.

Mouse Was MadAuthor: Linda UrbanPublisher: New York: Hougton Mifflin Harcourt, c2009Call No.: JP URBSummary: Mouse is overcome by anger but he does not know how to express it. The cute illustrations show mouse trying out the different ways other animals express their anger – hopping, stomping, screaming and more. However, Mouse decides that controlling it through breathing works best. A positive book that teaches children how to manage their anger and feel better, through breathing calmly.

I Want My PacifierAuthor: Tony RossPublisher: La Jolla, Calif. : Kane/Miller, 2004Call No.: JP ROSSummary: Little Princess has trouble letting go of her pacifier. Despite the many attempts made by other people in the castle to dissuade her from using it, she always manages to find it again. When her cousin comments that the pacifier looks silly on Little Princess, she is ashamed and finally decides to give it away. Children may be willing to give up a habit once they know friends their age no longer have them.

David Gets in TroubleAuthor: David ShannonPublisher: New York: Blue Sky Press, 2002Call No.: JP SHASummary: When David gets in trouble throughout the day, he simply makes excuses instead of taking responsibility for his actions. He says, "I didn't mean to!", "It was an accident!", "I forgot!", "My dog ate my homework!" or "I couldn't help it!"
It is only during bedtime that David realizes he has been making excuses. Admitting his mistake, he finally says, "I'm sorry" and sleeps peacefully.

I'm Big EnoughAuthor: Amber StewartPublisher: New York: Orchard Books, 2007Call No.: JP STESummary: Bean feels she is big enough for everything except letting go of her blanket. Afraid her parents would take it away, she hides it in a hollow log. When bedtime comes, she goes to the forest to retrieve her blanket but forgets which log she has put it in. She looks for it every day but at the same time, she finds other fun things too like ladybugs and hideouts. All these distract Bean from the blanket. One day she sees her blanket with a baby fox and this is when she realises she is too big for the blanket.

Author: Debi GlioriPublisher: London: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2005Call No.: JP GLI- [BA]Summary: In this rhyming book, Large tells little Small that she loves him. Not entirely convinced, little Small asks a series of questions: would he still be loved if he were grumpy or if he were any other animal? Large reassures him that she will love him no matter what. A tender book that introduces the terms to express love and discusses what unconditional love is.

OwenAuthor: Kevin HenkesPublisher: New York: Greenwillow Books, 1993Call No.: JP HENSummary: Owen has had a yellow blanket named Fuzzy ever since he was a baby. He carries it everywhere with him and it keeps him company in happy and scary times. Owen’s parents use many ways to get him to let go of Fuzzy but nothing works. The first day of school finally arrives and Owen is upset when he cannot bring Fuzzy. That is, until Owen's mother finds a creative way to allow Owen to continue bringing Fuzzy with him.

Grump Groan GrowlAuthor: Bell HooksPublisher: New York, N.Y: Hyperion Books for Children, 2008Call No.: JP HOOSummary: "Grump, groan, growl. Bad mood on the prowl." That is what the main character is experiencing in this book. He tries to hide inside and keeps his mad mood with him while clearly looking unhappy. Mother comes along and advises him to just let the bad mood be, let it pass and let it slide while he stays inside. Soon the boy is slowly smiling again. The rhymes and artistic illustrations make the book unique.

Papa, Do You Love Me?Author: Barbara JoosePublisher: San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books, c2005Call No.: JP JOOSummary: A son asks his father, "Papa, do you love me?" He continues with asking how much, how long and poses a few other questions. The delight of the book comes from the beautiful illustrations as well as the heart-warming replies Papa gives his son. It displays the unconditional love parents have for their children and some of the ways we can show love for others.

Emily's TigerAuthor: Miriam LatimerPublisher: Cambridge, Mass: Barefoot Books, 2008Call No.: JP LATSummary: Emily becomes an angry tiger every time she does not get her way. She would growl, swipe things with her tail and stamp angrily with her feet. No one can control her until Granny comes. Granny can also turn into a tiger but she always chooses to be a happy one. Granny teaches Emily how much more fun it is to be a happy tiger and that being calm and cooperative helps tigers shine.

Viola's Secret Author: Patricia MacCarthyPublisher: London: Picture Corgi, 2008Call No.: JP MACSummary: The Dewdrop Babies are an adorable group of friends who wear flower petals and have glittery dewdrops on their dresses. In the daytime, Viola is always the bravest and most adventurous. But things are different at night. One night, her secret of being afraid of the dark leaks. The Dewdrop Babies comfort Viola by changing the way she sees night-time: "It's warm, cosy and snugly!" They also put glow-worms in her room and sing lullabies. A book that helps children overcome their fear of the dark.

Author: Lori MortensenPublisher: Mankato, Minn: Stone Arch Books. 2010Call No.: JP MORSummary: Bree loves riding her bicycle and is skilled at it. She can do many tricks but she cannot jump the big jump. She feels it is too big, steep and scary. She worries each time she thinks of doing the big jump. Not wanting to be scared anymore, she starts practising doing small jumps and making it bigger each time. This increases her confidence and suddenly the big jump does not seem so scary anymore. After accomplishing it, she feels ready for an even bigger jump!

Love You ForeverAuthor: Robert MunschPublisher: Scarborough, Ont : Firefly Books, c1995Call No.: JP MUNSummary: This lovely book demonstrates the growth of a mother-son relationship. It starts from the time the son was a little baby and carries on until adulthood when he himself becomes a parent. Mother would always sing a lullaby to her son after he is asleep: "I'll love you forever... as long as I’m living, my baby you'll be." Despite him having left the house, she would still call or visit to sing him the lullaby. The book ends on a sweet note.

If You're Happy and You Know It!Author: Jan OrmerodPublisher: Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003Call No.: JP ORMSummary: This version of the popular rhyme starts off with a girl who feels happy and chooses to express it by clapping her hands. A dog disagrees and suggests expressing it by twirling the tail instead. Elephant, who feels his tail is small, feels flapping the ears is better. This cheerful debate continues as other animals join in, realizing that there is more than one way of showing that you are happy. A fun book that gets children exploring what they can do to express happiness.

Angry DragonAuthor: Thierry RobberechtPublisher: New York: Clarion Books, 2004Call No.: JP ROBSummary: When a boy is angry, he turns into a dragon. His anger slowly expands inside him until he transforms, not stopping to think, and ruining everything in sight. His parents try to calm him down and cool his stone heart. But the boy rejects them repeatedly as he feels ashamed. His parents’ patience pays off when they are finally able to reach him and reaffirm that they love him still even if he sometimes turns into a dragon.

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